Buoyant net and safety cover for swimming pools



April 14, 1964 J. F.YBEAL I 3,128,478

BUOYANT NET AND SAFETY COVER FOR SWIMMING POOLS Filed Dec. 2,-1959 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.2;

INVENTOR.

his ATTORNEYS J. F. BEAL April 14, 1964 BUOYANT NET AND SAFETY COVER FORSWIMMING POOLS Filed Dec. 2, 1959 INVENTOR. James E Bea! BY M, M 1% 2Sheets-Sheet 2 I 2 ll his ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,128,478BUOYANT NET AND SAFETY COVER FOR SWIh IMING POOLS James F. Bea],Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County, Pa. (1068 Summit Ava,Greensburg, Pa.) Fiied Dec. 2, 1959, Ser. No. 856,691 13 Claims. (Cl.4-172) This invention is for a buoyant net and safety cover for swimmingpools, and relates particularly to a buoyant.

net construction which may be used over swimming pools and in otherenvironments where it may provide protection or function as a lifepreserver.

The enormous increase in the number of swimming pools throughout thecountry and their location out-ofdoors in and near thickly populatedareas, adjacent to motels and in the yards of residences, has given riseto increased danger both to children and adults. While in many cases itis practical to provide a high wire fence about an outdoor pool, it isexpensive to do so and not always feasible, and it is even morediificult to be sure that the gate to such an enclosure is always closedand locked, or that persons using the pool will not leave the poolunattended and the enclosure open. Moreover, in most surroundings, suchan enclosure is detrimental to landscaping, and when the pool is in useby a number of people the enclosing fence may seriously hamper thefreedom of movement about the pool.

In some areas where pools are located on the grounds of motels,regulations impose a. substantial burden on the owner to guard againstpersons falling into the pool, and sometimes he is required to provide aWatchman twentyfour hours a day to see that children or adults do notwander or fall into the pool.. To motel guests who have imbibed freelyof alcoholic beverages, the pool seems to possess a particular challengeand danger.

The present invention has for its principal object to provide a buoyantnet that may be placed over a pool, and which may be easily maneuveredinto and out of position.

A further object of my invention is to provide a net which is buoyantand will float on the surface of the pool, and by reason of thisbuoyancy is not only more easily placed in position andremoved, but itwill also support more or less completely a person or child who mightfall onto it. Also, because of its buoyancy, as well asits flexibility,it may be stored when not in use near the pool and tossed into the poolas a life preserver.

A further object of my invention is to provide a unique. means forsecuring the net in position over the pool, which means is substantiallyconcealed, affords no obstacle to one using the pool or walking aroundit, and which does not alter the pool construction.

These and other objects and advantages are secured by my invention aswill be more fully apparent from the.

detailed description thereof in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one form of net embodying my invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary of net;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of still another form of net;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section through one side of a pool to which myinvention is applied;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical section of the gutter portion of the wallshown in FIG. 4, showing in greater detail the gutter fastening forholding the net;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view in vertical section showing another way ofanchoring the cover over a pool;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary section through the net showing a post holderfor a guard rope; and

plan view of another form 3,128,478 Patented Apr. 14, 1964 FIG. 8 is afragmentary plan view of an area of a net wherein more than two sets ofintersecting tubes are used.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is provided, according to thepresent invention, a net 2 formed of longitudinally-extending plastictubes 3 and similar transverselyextending tubes 4. These tubes arepreferably of an easily-extrudable thin-walled thermoplastic material.At some or all of the areas of intersection they are secured together,either by heat-flattening them and then cementing, or mechanicallysecuring them, and the ends of the tubes are also heat-flattened andsealed. Each tube therefore is divided into a number of individualair-filled buoyant cells, each preferably completely sealed off from theadjoining ones. The tubes are woven in a conventional over-and-underbasket weave, with a spacing of several inches, typically four inches,between tubes. The tubes are sufficiently rigid that the spacing betweenthem will be fixed, but they are also sufficiently flexible at thejunction points where they are fiat, so that the net may be folded. Themarginal edge of the net is also formed of similar tubing 3a flatteneddown where the flattened ends of the tubes 4 and 3 are heat-sealed orcemented or otherwise fastened thereto.

To facilitate folding, the net may have incorporated therein at spacedintervals longitudinally-extending nonabsorbent plastic ribbons or tapes5 and transverselyextending similar ribbons or tapes 6. The tubes, wherethey intersect these tapes, are flattened as where they intersect each,other, and are secured at the points of intersection to the tapes byfusion, cementing or mechanical fastening.

Such a plastic netting, being inherently buoyant, can be easily handledby an individual.v In being put into place, it will float on the surfaceof the water, so that one person has little difliculty in positioning itover the length or breadth of the pool, and in removing it he has onlyto deal with any unbuoyed portion of its weight.

in emergency, be tossed into the pool edge, and it can,

for a buoy which can be easily pool in folded condition grasped.

As an alternate structure, the arrangement shown in FIG. 3 may be used,in which the. tubes, woven in overand-under basket weave design, arediscontinuous and are secured at intervals to flat tapes. In thisfigure, 7 are relatively short tubes extending in one direction, and 8are short-length tubes passing alternately over and under tubes 7. Theymay be cemented or tied at the junctures, the ties being indicated at7a, but their ends are flattened or sealed and secured to continuousflexible nonabsorbent tapes 9 and 10 similar to tapes 5 and 6, extendingcontinuously of the length and breadth, respectively, of the net. Theshort sections of tubes 7 and 8 may be aligned, as shown, or may bestaggered.

This structure provides a net having the effect of continuous tubesextending the length and breadth of the net and divided into a number ofseparate cells, and it canbe more easily folded,.since theactual-physical continuity of the tubes is interrupted at the tapes.

For the ordinary private pool of small size, the net may be large enoughto cover the entire pool, but for larger pools, itmay be madeinsections, and preferably sections which are tied or fastened-to eachother. Also, it may be made in strips for use alongside docks for smallboats.

The net may be anchored in various Ways. Assuming it to be used over aconventional pool as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, where the walls 11 of thepool have an overflow gutter 12 extending therealong at the water linewith an overhang and curb 13 over the gutter, I may use a specialholding block 14 which may be made of metal, plastic, canvas-reinforcedrubber, or other material suitable for the purpose. It is in the form ofa right-angle having a vertical leg 14a and a horizontal leg 14b. Theouter edge of the angle is rounded and has a notch 14c therein extendingtoward but not to the inner corner of the block. The blocks arepositioned at intervals around the pool.

The margin of the net at a point where the marginal tube is flattened isforced into the notch before the block is put in place. Then the blockis turned sideways and moved in over the gutter and then turned uprightto bring the leg 14a to the position shown, with the horizontal leg 14bon the ledge of the gutter. The block when thus positioned will hold thenet against any outward pull. The vertical leg 14a does not extend tothe bottom of the gutter, and hence does not impair the function of thegutter in carrying olf excess water.

If the pool is not constructed with a gutter as above described, but thewall 11a is formed with an open gutter, then the edge of the net iscurved over the curb 13a and engaged in hooks 15 set at intervals aroundthe pool, as shown in FIG. 6.

Since it is desirable to provide a warning rope around the pool, the netmay have tubular sockets 16 secured therein at the corners and, ifnecessary, along the edges between the corners. Posts 17 for a warningrope 13 may be placed in these sockets. In FIG. 7 the tubular socket 16has a flange 16a for securing it by cementing or fastening to the corneror marginal areas of the net.

While the net is intended primarily as a covering for pools and otherplaces where persons, especially children, or perhaps intoxicatedpersons, are likely to go over the edge, it may be kept folded on boatsor ships to be thrown overboard in an emergency for a person or personsto cling to. It may be used over empty pools, as well as those filledwith water. Before a pool is emptied for the winter or for repair, thenet may be easily floated into position and secured before the water isdrained away. By so doing it is possible for one person to easilyinstall the net and then drain the pool. Since the plastic issubstantially non-absorbent, the net does not lose buoyancy or becomeheavy to handle by reason of its becoming saturated with water. Hence itis not appreciably heavier to handle when being removed or lifted out ofthe water than when it is put into place. Because of its stiffness, itwill not bunch or fold when being floated into position, and because itis somewhat soft, resilient and pliable, it will not hurt one who fallsonto it.

The amount of buoyancy will depend of course upon the diameter of thetubes, the wall thickness, the mesh of the net, and the specific gravityof the plastic. It has adequate strength to accept the impact of aperson falling onto it. Any one, even a child, falling upon it, wouldquickly find support to which he would instinctively cling as he mightthrash about, even though he might be partially immersed. I have shownthe tubes as all being of the same diameter, but dimensions may vary.Usually, however, for compactness when folded, tubes of uniform diameterwill be found preferable.

Some materials suitable for this purpose are nylon, vinyl copolymer,natural or synthetic rubber, polyethylene, or like materials which aresufliciently flexible, and non-absorbent. Good tensile strength isimportant and slight elasticity is desirable to absorb sudden shock if aperson falls onto it. Nylon, because of its superior strength,resistance to weathering and exposure to light, is presently deemedpreferable for nets intended for long service. A typical net for a pool18 by 28' might be formed of tubing /2" in diameter with a wallthickness of approximately .003". Constructed on four inch centers, itwould require about 3200 feet of tubing, including the periphery whichmight be heavier or reinforced. It would weigh between and lbs. and havea buoyancy of approximately 250 lbs. A four-inch spacing is suflicientlyopen to enable a person who unexpectedly falls on it to find ready handholds, but will not permit ones A body or head to pass through it,particularly where the tubes are secured together at the intersections.

The net need not be woven with the tubes intersecting at right angles,or with only two sets of tubes. In FIG. 8 I have disclosed a fragment ofa net having intersecting diagonal tubes 2t and 21 which may be usedalone, or in conjunction with other sets of tubes, as for example, tubes22 and 23 that intersect at right angles. With diagonal tubes, or withmore than two sets of tubes, there would be a marginal strand, as in theother figures, and tapes might be employed at intervals as described inFIGS. 1 to 3. The tubes will be woven in an over-andunder arrangementand may be tied or secured together at all or some of the intersections.

An incidental advantage of this net over a pool is that on windy days itwill break up wave formation and hence reduce the outflow of water intothe gutters resulting from waves on the pool surface.

For clarity of illustration in FIG. 6 I have shown the hooks l5 exposedat the back of the curb, but safety considerations would make itdesirable to recess these into the walkway or rear face of the curb, orto have them retractable when the pool is in use.

While I have shown and described certain specific embodiments of anduses for my invention, it will be understood that the construction ofthe net may be varied and that it may be used in various ways within thescope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A buoyant safety net of the class described comprising air-filledflexible plastic tubes having sealed ends arranged in fixed intersectingrelation to form a net, the tubes being spaced sufiiciently to providehand holds should one fall onto the net.

2. A buoyant safety net of the class described comprised of at least twosets of parallel air-filled flexible plastic tubes having sealed ends,the tubes of one set intersecting those of the other, with the tubes ofone set passing over and under the tubes of the other set inbasket-weave fashion, the tubes being spaced sufli-ciently to providehand holds should one fall onto the net.

3. A buoyant safety net of the class described comprised of at least twosets of parallel air-filled flexible plastic tubes having sealed ends,the tubes of one set intersecting those of the other, with the tubes ofone set passing over and under the tubes of the other set inbasket-weave fashion, and a tubular margin around the periphery of thenet to which the ends of the tubes are secured, the points ofintersection of the two sets of tubing being of the order of about fourinches.

4. A buoyant safety net comprised of a series of airfilled flexibleplastic tubes extending lengthwise of the net and another series oftubes extending crosswise, the tubes of the two series being interwovenin basket-weave fashion and joined together at at least some of theintersections, the tubes between intersections providing hand holds.

5. A buoyant net comprised of at least two series of spaced parallelair-filled flexible plastic tubes, the tubes of the two series beinginterwoven in basket-weave fashion, and flexible tapes extendinglengthwise and crosswise of the net in the plane of the tubes and thenet at intervals along its length and width, the tubes being secured tothe tapes and the tapes constituting fold lines.

6. A buoyant net comprised of a series of flexible plastic tubesextending lengthwise of the net and another series of tubes extendingcrosswise, the tubes of the two series being interwoven in basket-weavefashion, and flexible tapes extending lengthwise and crosswise of thenet in the general plane of the tubes and the net at intervals along itslength and width, the tubes being secured to the tapes, the tubesterminating at the tapes and having their ends sealed Where theyterminate, the tapes constituting fold areas, the tubes being filledwith air.

7. A buoyant net as defined in claim 5 in which the periphery of the netis also a tube to which the marginal extremities of the interwoven tubesof the two sets are connected.

8. A buoyant net as defined in claim 5 in which the tubes are flattenedand sealed at the points of intersection, the flattened areas of thetubes at the intersections are secured together, the tubes beingair-filled between the flattened areas at the intersections.

9. A buoyant net as defined in claim 5 in which the tubes are flattenedand sealed at the points of intersection and the intersecting flattenedareas are secured to gether, the net having a tubular margin to whichthe marginal ends of the interwoven tubes are joined, the marginaltubing and the ends of the tubes being flattened and sealed where theyare joined.

10. The combination with a swimming pool having an overflow gutteraround the edge thereof with a curb overhanging the gutter, of anet-like cover over the pool having a peripheral strand, and anchoringmeans for the net comprising angle-shaped members each having a verticalleg extending downwardly into the gutter but terminating above thebottom of the gutter and a horizontal leg that extends between theoverhanging curb and the water side of the gutter, said members eachhaving a diagonal notch in the outside of the corner formed by the twoarms into which the marginal strand of the net is hooked.

11. A safety net anchor for swimming pools compris prising an angularmember having a horizontal leg and a vertical leg, the width of each legbeing greater than the thickness of each leg, said member having a notchin the outer corner edge formed by the intersecting of the two legs,said notch extending from said outer corner edge toward but onlypartially to the inner corner edge.

=12. A buoyant safety net of the class described comprising a pluralityof sets of flexible plastic air-filled tubes with the tubes in each setintersecting those of the other sets and interwoven at the points ofintersection to pass over and under one another, the tubes of theseveral sets being secured together at at least some points ofintersection, the intersections of the tubes being spaced sufficientlyto provide hand holds between them.

13. A buoyant net for swimming pools comprised of at least two series ofparallel spaced air-filled flexible plastic tubes with the tubes of oneseries intersecting those of the other and being secured together at thepoints of intersection, the tubes being more rigid in the direction oftheir lengths but yieldable transversely whereby the net may be pushedover the surface of water but will be relatively soft if a person fallson it, said net having a marginal strand to which the marginal ends ofthe tubes are secured, and anchoring means in which the marginal strandis confined, said anchoring means comprising an angle-shaped fixturehaving a horizontal leg and a vertical leg and having a notch in theoutside corner formed by the two legs in which the marginal strand ofthe net is engaged.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,715,231 Marston Aug. 10, 1955 2,754,900 Karobonik et a1 July 17, 19562,772,193 Ono Nov. 27, 1956 2,870,455 Reeves Jan. 27, 1959

3. A BUOYANT SAFETY NET OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED COMPRISED OF AT LEAST TWOSETS OF PARALLEL AIR-FILLED FLEXIBLE PLASTIC TUBES HAVING SEALED ENDS,THE TUBES OF ONE SET INTERSECTING THOSE OF THE OTHER, WITH THE TUBES OFONE SET PASSING OVER AND UNDER THE TUBES OF THE OTHER SET INBASKET-WEAVE FASHION, AND A TUBULAR MARGIN AROUND THE PERIPHERY OF THENET TO WHICH THE ENDS OF THE TUBES ARE SECURED, THE POINTS OFINTERSECTION OF THE TWO SETS OF TUBING BEING OF THE ORDER OF ABOUT FOURINCHES.